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Best Smart Phones for around €100?

DB21 · 2011-11-03 19:19:36

Hi guys, I'm looking to upgrade from my current Nokia brick to a smart phone (at last). The most I realistically could spend is €100, but I probably could make it to €150. Not fussy about provider, and I could go to bill pay, with a cap of €20-25 per month. So, any suggestions would be welcome.

03-11-2011 07:19PM

#1

DB21

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Hi guys,

I'm looking to upgrade from my current Nokia brick to a smart phone (at last). The most I realistically could spend is €100, but I probably could make it to €150. Not fussy about provider, and I could go to bill pay, with a cap of €20-25 per month. So, any suggestions would be welcome.

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#2 03-11-2011 08:19PM

GreenWolfe

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There's not a lot of info to go on here, could you be a bit more specific?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055514104

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#3 03-11-2011 08:49PM

DB21

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Alright

What features are important to you in a phone? (i.e. camera, gps, FM radio, Stereo Bluetooth): Bluetooth, Android OS, Camera bigger than 2 megapixel, SD slot

Form factor - i.e. touchscreen, slider, flip phone, etc.: Touchscreen

Internet - is 3G/mobile internet important, or WiFi/EDGE: WiFi

Operator - have you an operator preference: Meteor is preferable, but I would be willing to switch

Pre-pay/Bill-pay/SIM-Free - have you a preference for either: Pre-pay

Price range: €100-150 (At a stretch)

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#4 03-11-2011 11:12PM

GreenWolfe

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You have a few pre-pay options on Meteor:

SE Xperia X8 - https://store.meteor.ie/phones/sony_ericsson_x8/#tech-specs-tab

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_xperia_x8-3403.php

Samsung Galaxy Y - https://store.meteor.ie/phones/samsung_galaxy_y/#tech-specs-tab

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_y_s5360-4117.php

Samsung Galaxy Mini - https://store.meteor.ie/phones/samsung_galaxy_mini/#tech-specs-tab

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_mini_s5570-3725.php

Of the bunch here, the Galaxy Y seems to be the best on paper. It has the best overall spec, and the newest Android update. The Xperia X8 has a low overall spec and the oldest Android software but it has the highest screen resolution of the listed choices. If you're willing to move networks, the LG Optimus Me P350 on O2 might be worth a look - http://www.o2online.ie/o2/shop/phones/lg-p350-optimus-me/127/

Also, if you can find it the LG Optimus One P500 anywhere, that would definitely be worth a look too - http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_optimus_one_p500-3516.php

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#5 04-11-2011 09:08PM

montytheferret

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Buy an orange san francisco on ebay...

they are by far the best budget phone...

review here... http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/orange-san-francisco-901915/review

Comes with android 2.1 and you can install android 2.2...

Ive had mine for about 2 months now, does the job 32gb memory card in it

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#6 04-11-2011 09:10PM

The Sparrow

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montytheferret wrote: »

Buy an orange san francisco on ebay...

Came in to post this. Great smartphone for a budget price.

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#7 04-11-2011 09:15PM

montytheferret

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The Sparrow wrote: »

Came in to post this. Great smartphone for a budget price.

Bit off topic, but just want do ask do you have android 2.1, or did you upgrade?? I upgraded to android 2.2 with swedish spring...works fine now (to start with i couldnt send texts but did a factory reset)

But anyway OP, you should defo consider this phone... you won't get a better phone for your money...

Some phones cost twice the price and aren't as good.

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#8 04-11-2011 09:56PM

GreenWolfe

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Yeah, I knew the San Fran was an option. You can forget about any kind of warranty support this way, and not everyone may want to flash ROMS. The question here is whether the OP would be comfortable doing this.

The fact that the Blade is so easily unlocked is one of its few saving graces. Also, most of the Blades I saw on eBay are well over 150€.

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#9 04-11-2011 10:06PM

montytheferret

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EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

Also, most of the Blades I saw on eBay are well over 150€.

150€?? You should get it cheaper than that. they were going for about £110 brand new from orange.

I got mine for 92€..plus 10€ postage.... if you find a seller with good feedback it should be fine...

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Orange-San-Francisco-Black-Smartphone-Excellent-condition-/110767672585?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones&hash=item19ca448d09#ht_500wt_1287

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Orange-San-Francisco-Black-Unlocked-Smartphone-/220886200391?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones&hash=item336dd7f047

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Orange-San-Francisco-White-Unlocked-Smartphone-/160674059091?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones&hash=item2568eb9353#ht_500wt_1287

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Orange-San-Francisco-OLED-Unlocked-Rooted-Boxed-Sat-nav-Mint-Cond-Extras-/180747533048?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones&hash=item2a15647af8#ht_797wt_1270

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/san-francisco-orange-/220884099617?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones&hash=item336db7e221

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#10 04-11-2011 10:10PM

montytheferret

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EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

not everyone may want to flash ROMS. The question here is whether the OP would be comfortable doing this.

I reckon Its still a good phone without flashing the Rom.

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#11 04-11-2011 11:35PM

DB21

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I'd consider that phone. It's just I'm a bit cagey about buying electronics on ebay

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#12 05-11-2011 12:13AM

Trevor451

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DB21 wrote: »

I'd consider that phone. It's just I'm a bit cagey about buying electronics on ebay

Most of the electronics sold on ebay are sold by companies. Just make sure the seller has good feedback etc.

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#13 05-11-2011 12:24AM

Kristopherus

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If you hav a contact in the Uk or North, you can order it direct from Orange for £99.00 and have it sent to them, or have it collected by them from an Orange shop or Argos in UK.

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#14 12-12-2011 02:16PM

shefra

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I was thinking of getting an orange san francisco fone, having read loads of reviews and the fact that I am a total newb when it comes to fones and fone jargon if I were to buy this fone prepay from orange what network would i be on and is it difficult to unlock it to another provider? Also which providers are best for prepay or is a person better off on contract if so what type of contract. Thanks

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#15 12-12-2011 03:53PM

Kristopherus

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I have one that I got last May. I unlocked it free on the net & installed Android 2.2 on it later. There is a host of Orange bloatware on these phones and when you update the rom it cleans all that rubbish away. If a newb to android like me can do it so can anyone. Have a good read about the San Fran in the Android forum. All the links you need to do everything are there.

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